Home · Gadidae · Saffron cod
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) — Gadidae

Saffron cod

Eleginus gracilis
Family: Gadidae

The Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gadidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–300.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska
Edibility
Highly prized

Want the complete picture on the Saffron cod?

Get the app

Description

The saffron cod is a cod (Gadidae) from cold coastal and estuarine waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 55 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown body with three dorsal fins and a chin barbel, typical of the cods. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives in shallow, cold water and hunts small fish, crustaceans and worms. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Saffron cod?

The Saffron cod has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Saffron cod live?

The Saffron cod lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska

How big does the Saffron cod get?

The Saffron cod grows to a maximum of about 55 cm.

Is the Saffron cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Saffron cod is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Saffron cod edible?

Yes, the Saffron cod is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) — Gadidae — 2
Girard, Matthew (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) — Gadidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Erin McKittrick, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) — Gadidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) R. Hoffman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) — Gadidae — 5
Girard, Matthew (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saffron cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saffron cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Saffron cod sourced
Scientific name
Eleginus gracilis
Family
Gadidae
Other names
Pacific saffron cod; Saffron cod; Cod; Wachna cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Eleginus

More from the family Gadidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Saffron cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Saffron cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Saffron cod? Get the app